Screening for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes (NIPT)

The NIPT niet-invasieve prenatale test (niet-invasieve prenatale test) is a test in which a blood sample is taken from the pregnant woman. The blood is examined in a laboratory. If the blood test shows that the child may have Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndromes, a follow-up test is necessary to be sure if the child has the disorder or not. You can have the NIPT starting from 10 weeks into pregnancy.

Screening for physical abnormalities (13-week scan and 20-week scan)

The 13-week scan and the 20-week scan are medical examinations. The person who performs the screening onderzoek (onderzoek) test is called a sonographer. At both scans a sonographer will use an ultrasound machine to examine the baby for any physical abnormalities. The sonographer will also check the amniotic fluid and the growth of the baby. The sonographer is required to inform you of all the findings. This means that you cannot have a partial scan. There is no risk to either the mother or the baby from a screening test.

When is the 13-week ultrasound scan?

You can have the 13-week ultrasound scan from 12+3 up to 14+3 weeks of pregnancy. This means from twelve weeks and three days up to and including fourteen weeks and three days.

When is the 20-week scan?

You can have the 20-week scan from week 18 until week 21 of your pregnancy. This means up to 21 weeks and 0 days of your pregnancy. The best time to have the scan is in week 19 of your pregnancy. That is 19 weeks and 0 days up to and including 19 weeks and 6 days of your pregnancy. In the Netherlands, you can only opt to have the 13-week scan if you are participating in the scientific IMITAS study.